BETTER PIZZA

 THURSDAY - Went back to the garden centre returned a box of solar powered string lights we had more than enough with two boxes , I got a refund I also ended up buying a Japanese Acer tree for the front garden £129 no doubt it will survive long after I am gone I planted it in a big stone pot we bought a few weeks ago I planted it myself its called Groot .

Fired up the pizza oven on the way home from Uppermill called into Tesco and bought two pizza bases cheating I know but a lot less hassle making the dough from scratch does not seem to be ideal it is also messy .The pre made pizza bases is the way to go the enter and exit the oven a lot easier than wet dough and cook and taste as good if not better. I had pepperoni with mascarpone and mozzarella cheese  one pizza is enough. It was the best yet .

 FRIDAY - It is cooler today we are setting off to Whitby at around half past twelve hopefully eating at the Magpie café decided to but a post card of every place we visit scribble on what we did and safe it for future reference should have done this years ago a great way to reflect on things in the past , hope I remember . 

FRESH PRODUCE

WEDNESDAY - Cooked outside did the bacon and egg sandwiches on the camping stove we bought a while back .The temperature outside it was already  in the mid 25's  and rising way too warm for slaving over a indoor cooker. I am sure the bacon tasted tastier cooking it outside that's three different ways I have cooked outdoors in as many days if ever the gas electric got cut off we wouldn't starve the only draw back is the great British weather  yesterday afternoon after being red hot for the best part of the day before we lit the pizza oven it rained it was still sunny but now sunny and wet .

Being off work is nice doing nothing all day is nice too , drinking apple and mango cider with ice is extremely nice eating outdoors the best not leaving home very cost effective if there are planning another lock down I wont argue .

Went to the Albion farm shop bought various produce including both white and granary breadcakes  lamb chops for Helen I also bought some fudge and tomatoes topping for the pizza bases we bought a scotch egg to eat at the picnic tables outside on the way home stopped of at the Dobcross garden centre bought some solar powered string lights which we hung up all along the garden fence panels 32 metres not the worlds biggest garden but it is one of the nicest gardens on the block even if I say so myself .

NOT COOKING WITH GAS

 TUESDAY - Finally used the pizza oven made the pizza dough from scratch was a lot of prep like always  preparation is everything .You need to be ready with the pizza at the right time to cook it perfect it is an art form and like anything you learn from your mistakes but saying that it is not impossible to get a very tasty pizza on the first run .

Keep the fire box constantly burning it does not take long for the pellets to burn away the the temperature then drops pretty quick once there is no fuel it does not take long for a tinder box of pellets  to burn away so keep adding more pellets .Another tip make sure everything is to hand the blow torch , tongs , pellets and your toppings tomato and cheese and digital thermometer .Once the flames are peaking through the chimney throw in the pizza keep rotating the pie  and be careful not to burn it from uncooked to black in a blink of an eye obviously you don't want  no black crust .and be mindful flour get everywhere just live with it its not the end of the world having a thin film of flour dust everywhere where you are making pizza .it is stressful the pressure is on but it is fun and get it right which you will the end result is worth it .Leave the cleaning to the following day its outdoors anyway .

BARBIE NO2 2026

 SATURDAY - Ten hours in Huddersfield A&E not what we envisaged for the first day of my time off ,Got out just before ten Helen had a ecg , and cat scan plus bloods and other tests she was let home on the way home bought a pizza to cook in our regular oven ,The pizza oven was delivered along with a bag of pellets , blow torch and digital thermometer  my coffee Mokka pot also and 5 x xxl black fruit of the loom T-shirts .Will open the George Foreman Pizza oven tomorrow .

SUNDAY - At Helens parents doing some gardening it is another red hot day and little fun was had toiling away pulling weeds put we did it was that hot I even said yes to a can of cold Spanish lager.

MONDAY - Had a barbie the second one of 2026  we had sausages , burgers and butter and garlic chicken breast and skewers and jacket potatoes washed down with some mango cider .When the food is on the grill it never looks enough but the reality is there is also way too much '

PIZZA TIME

 SUNDAY - Went to Hampson's garden centre  bought some more flowers for the hanging baskets I got some rum and raisin fudge .We drove to Canon Hall somewhere we have not been for ages bought a stone planter a metal rustic poppy head and a few more plants cant have enough plants .Cooked a wagyu steak for tea with chunky chips and stemmed broccoli the steak was from Aldi was one of the best steaks I have had in a long time .

MONDAY - Took the cover off the patio furniture mid afternoon I had washed and cleaned the car and was sat in the sun just a few hours before leaving to go to work .On the way back home in the early hours of the morning it was raining .Helen had covered the furniture back over .I break up this Saturday for two week annual leave . 

FRIDAY - Ordered a George Foreman pizza oven , a slatted table a blow torch and a digital laser thermometer and some wood pellets just so we can cook a few pizzas in the garden hopefully weather permitting .Work is a total shit show so glad i am off for the next sixteen days .This afternoon was the hottest weather we have had this year in the sun was out in all its glory .

THE BEST

 SATURDAY - Thinking of buying a mod out iPod classic I have a 160gb classic already but what it cost to mod it its as cheap getting one already done costing around  £199 .I want one with a see through clear case black scroll wheel and aluminium back case , will also get a leather case and some decent wired iem's. 

Went to the old St Mary's chapel near Towton a big battle of the roses occurred in 1461  it lasted for ten hours 50000 men showed up and  between 3000 to 4000 lost their lives , and  the near by stream rang red with blood .The Church was already there some of the soldiers took refuge there the night before the battle commenced .Hopefully all saw the following day .

From there we went to Woodbank garden centre which took ages to get there was ok .We finished off buy going to Murgatroyd's at Yeadon  for fish and chips it has been years since we was there last .I am not giving them a bad review as it was all ok but being honest we both agreed we both think that that Wetherby Whaler are better based on the batter ,chips and for me the curry sauce 9.25/10 saying that Murgatroyd's are still a good 8.75/10 the only fish shop I rate higher is the Magpie at Whitby we will be going there week after next hopefully weather permitting .I break up next Friday for 16 days they will be no work .

  

IT LIVES

 THURSDAY - Planted the fern £199 quid's worth of plant in the ground growing in the garden  hopefully it lives long and grows stronger year after year . Went to pick the duvet up from the cleaners all washed and dry and looking good as new .Drove down to Hampson's garden centre Helen spent £160 on plants and meatal hanging basket plus liner .I bought four pork pirs some salted caramel fudge and a slice of cherry pie .That's tea sorted tonight .On the way back home we stopped at the local garden centre Totties Helen bought a metal sunflower plaque and I bought to resin head planters for the back garden  £60 for both . 

FRIDAY - Went to Home Bragins we bought some xxl wash gel and fabric conditioner and a load of different bird foods got the dogs some treats and the cat a giant bag of dreamies . 

Took Helen for her nail appointment I went to the farm shop and bought a freshly cooked beef brisket sandwich which I shared with the dogs ,Picked Helen up went to Aldi .Put the sunflower ornament on the gardens back fence looks o,k ,